Letter to the Editor: Drivers’ Workdays

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We are a flatbed carrier that generally works for five manufacturing plants.

I see the new federal driver hours rule playing a vital part in our daily schedule within the manufacturing plants. We are going to have to rework our business practices to accommodate the transportation side.

I see a major increase in tariffs coming from most trucking companies, once everyone monitors theimpact this is going to have. Carriers will increase stop-off charges as well as rates [and] monitor the time being spent at pickup-and-delivery points more closely.

I do agree that something had to be done, but I feel this is going to force drivers to start looking for a different line of work as they are going to be required to spent more time in their tractors and away from home. Also, there is not enough parking out there now, and with this change it’s only going to get worse.

I think the most hard hit companies will be the regional carriers with multiple stops, and delays causing major problems for the drivers.

Michael Hamm

i>Corporate Logistics Manager

BA Trucking Corp.

outh Plainfield, N.J.

This letter appeared in the Dec. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.